Constructing a Pond in Your Backyard

Before:

During:

After:

Steps

1. Research and plan your pond
2.  

Tips & Tricks

• Pond needs to be deep enough so as to not freeze over in cold areas (this one was 4 ft with a 2 ft shelf around the edge)
• Don't feed the fish! They can live off the plants
• Barley at the top of the waterfall helps to cleanse the pond water
• No chemicals need to be added to the pond, but you will find the water evaporates
• Don't forget a power source for lighting above and beyond the pump!
• Herons find goldfish quite an attractive meal -- we ended up putting a net over the pond to keep predators from eating our fish
• Plan your pond placement so as to avoid tree roots if possible. Otherwise, you'll find yourself sawing through tree roots (not fun)
• There is a negative -- liability. A pond is similar to a pool -- if a kid falls into your pond, a lawsuit from their family is certainly a possibility. Make sure place a "No Trespassing" sign on any gates leading into your backyard to protect yourself.

Resources

• How to Build a backyard lily pond that contains fish and plants
• On goldfish pond - in your backyard
• Construction of my pond